One of the finest success stories of the past decade in the Washington wine industry has to be that of Maryhill Winery.

Owners Craig and Vicki Leuthold launched their winery in a remote area of the state with the 2001 vintage, making 4,300 cases. In less than a decade, they have grown that to 80,000 cases, making Maryhill one of the largest family-owned producers in Washington.

Along the way, Maryhill has gained a well-earned reputation for crafting wines of quality and value, with its Winemaker’s Red – a $14 blend – making up more than a third of its production.

In 2004, Maryhill shocked the California wine world when its 2002 Zinfandel won best in class at a prominent wine competition.

The winery, near the town of Goldendale and next to the famed Maryhill Museum, occupies a beautiful location atop basalt cliffs that provide delicious views of the Gorge, Columbia River and Mount Hood. The Leutholds take advantage of their location with a 4,000-seat amphitheater that plays host to top musical acts each summer. Between the winery and concerts, Maryhill attracts 75,000 visitors per year. The wines also are widely distributed and easy to find in wine shops and groceries.

Maryhill Winery 2007 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $15: Smoked cassis, blueberries and raspberry aromas stay ahead of fascinating scents of teriyaki, Westbrae Unsweetened Ketchup and horsehair. There’s a sweet entry of blueberry and black cherry with an Old World feel to the midpalate when remarkable acidity from pomegranate kicks in. Frontal tannins and black olive in the finish will make this a pleasure to pair with fatty meats.

Maryhill Winery 2008 Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $15: Orange Creamsicle, sweet lemon and Granny Smith apple aromas are joined by smoked pineapple. There’s a nice balance of oak to the palate, and it shows as baked pie crust with apples, backed by more lemons and pineapple. Butterscotch and enjoyable spiciness arrive in the farewell.

Maryhill Winery 2009 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $11: Filling the nose are hints of canned pear, gooseberry and starfruit. There are more fruit cocktail flavors on the palate with pear, tangerine, honeydew melon and lychee.

Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman are the editors of Wine Press Northwest. For more information, go to www.winepressnw.com.